On figs and cats and torches and summer coming to a close

Tonight Jack convinced me to drill a small hole through a stick he'd found so that he could insert a match and light it, thus making an Olympic torch. As you may not be surprised to hear, a match burns pretty quickly, so "torch" was an ephemeral status.

"No, Mom, I've got it! We need gasoline!"

"No, Jack, we're not pouring gasoline into a handheld twig. Thank you. Goodnight."

"Moooooooooooom."

"No."

30 minutes later, T and I are presented with this.

Another 60 minutes later, I check on the children to find that both have drawn red marker and black ink pen beards on their faces and are wearing Italia hoodies. Oliver is drooling onto his pillow-whilst gnawing on corn last night, another top tooth dislodged and so he is now minus his front four which is really pretty significant- and Jack is still awake which does not bode well for tomorrow, the final day of camp.

The good thing about camp ending is that I do not have to pack another lunch until next summer.

The bad thing about camp ending is that camp is ending and we have three weeks left until school resumes. LAWD! SO MANY HOURS IN A DAY!

I will seek refuge in the Nut who continues to be adorably imperious and delightfully plump, and I will continue to encourage anyone listening to vote not only Donald Trump off our island but also Ryan Lochte. At least he hasn't resurrected his grill.

Today I admired and photographed figs and also cooked the boys a lovely dinner that required no more than three teeth to eat and then made a rainbow carrot and raisin salad. The evening light glows so becomingly this time of year; if you can avoid the mosquitan bandits out for all your blood, you will be rewarded with beautifully lit, no flash photos. 

As an added bonus tonight, I leave you with this truly HYSTERICAL Ode to Synchronized Swimming

Tomato and Olympic gold

People, having a sunny yard is such a win when you're an ever-hopeful gardener! I dare say I've had a mostly green thumb this summer, an accomplishment I attribute primarily to sun and soil amendments. Daily, my jackpot is a thrill.

The boys spent the night at a friend's house on Friday, and I realized their absence would be a good time to use up all remaining small-breed tomatoes as were starting to feel snowballed. 

A low and slow roast with some olive oil, garlic and thyme fit even the bill of a sweltering day, and with marinated sheep/goat cheese and toasted baguette, well, suffice it to say, that we feasted. 

The next day I made some celery leaf aioli for some chicken salad, and my T served this gorgeous, accidental-art latte to me. The Olympics continue to thrill (Phelps, Ledecky, Bolt?!?!?!), Christoph Waltz is a commercial delight, and the kids return to camp tomorrow. 

Watch this for a smile, and a bit more love if you're already a Waltz fan. 

Midweek pretties

I'm teaching my last summer class tomorrow morning, and mercifully, neither Olympic swimming nor women's gymnastics appear to be airing tonight (don't tell me if they are), so I'm hitting the sack, but...

a few pretty things as Wednesday comes to a close.

It never gets old- the plum tart. 

It never gets old- the plum tart. 

the lightly fried pattypan squash, round 2

the lightly fried pattypan squash, round 2

to say Oliver felt inspired by my plea to "make your bed" is an understatement!

to say Oliver felt inspired by my plea to "make your bed" is an understatement!

Y'all, my kumquats are growing. I'm beside myself. I've been waiting forever. Kumquat vibes, please!

Y'all, my kumquats are growing. I'm beside myself. I've been waiting forever. Kumquat vibes, please!